China Investigating Australian Wine Subsidies, Doubling Down On Dumping Probe

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SHANGHAI/SYDNEY — China on Monday launched an investigation into alleged government subsidies of some Australian wine imports, a widely expected follow-up to an anti-dumping probe that Australian representatives said they would oppose.

The investigations come against a backdrop of increasing tensions between the countries after Canberra called for an international inquiry into the origins of the novel coronavirus, which was first detected in China's central city of Wuhan.

Beijing imposed tariffs on Australian barley in May following accusations the grain was being exported at a loss, or "dumped". It then suspended some beef imports, before starting an investigation into dumping of Australian wine, an accusation Australia has refuted.

China's commerce ministry said in an online statement it would now investigate some 37 Australian wine subsidy schemes following a request from the China Wine Industry Association.

The second investigation, which would take up to a year, would look into Australian support measures including "farm risk management", a "farm financing loan scheme" and "business growth funding projects", the commerce ministry said.

By Reuters
Source: nytimes.com
August 31, 2020